tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post4359695572534958669..comments2024-01-01T16:01:35.711+00:00Comments on Dick Puddlecote: Election ReflectionsDick Puddlecotehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481866882188932892noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-50491709575629941002015-05-11T17:17:01.575+01:002015-05-11T17:17:01.575+01:00They certainly had more than twice as many (includ...They certainly had more than twice as many (including mine) than the SNP, that's for sure. It's not only that, though: there's now this idea going round that “Scotland” has done X,Y, and Z. No. Fully half of us <em>rejected</em> petty nationalism, and we now have almost no voice in the Parliament our new MPs want to leave.<br /><br /><br />I've always defended first-past-the-post, but now I'm beginning to wonder. The only consolation is that while the Nats are on course to win another majority in Holyrood next year (elected on a mixed FPTP/party list system), they <em>will</em> have some opposition there. And it could be interesting. I wouldn't bet against UKIP picking up the odd list seat.<br /><br /><br />As for Cameron, the line at the moment is that the coalition prevented him from pushing real Tory policies, and now he's been let off the leash. We'll see. My impression, going right back to 2010, is that Clegg's more of a classical liberal than he is. (And no, that <em>isn't</em> saying much.)Sam Duncannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-48170277419022720022015-05-11T13:56:25.637+01:002015-05-11T13:56:25.637+01:00I was totally devastated when the final results we...I was totally devastated when the final results were in. I had sincerely hoped that some, if not a lot, of common sense would prevail when UKIP won a good number of seats. As has been said, first past the post is not putting the party in charge that the people actually wanted!<br /><br /><br />Not sure now of the totally correct figures, but I believe one of them was that UKIP had almost as many votes as the whole of Scotland cast, yet Scotland have 50+ seats and UKIP only has 1! How is that ever democratic or representative of what people actually voted for?<br /><br /><br />I don't trust Cameron, never have, so I reserve opinion until I know a lot more. However, he has upset a lot of ordinary folk already with saying he will take away the right for life of social housing and it could only be for 2 or 3 years! Looks like another 'bedroom tax' kind of move to me - gravely unpopular and very harmful to many people who rely on social housing to try and bring up their children in a decent way.<br /><br /><br />We really needed a newer and more refreshing input in politics, but sadly we haven't got it and I fear for this country. I had also hoped that with some common sense we might, within the next 5 years, have seen the Great back in britain, but due to the outcome I will not hold my breath!<br /><br /><br />Labour wrecked this country and the tories did nothing to stop them and in the past 5 years have even continued the demise of our homeland. I don't believe it will improve in the coming 5 years.truckerlynnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-468403687555723832015-05-11T07:26:32.974+01:002015-05-11T07:26:32.974+01:00I'm afraid I can't remember the question,...I'm afraid I can't remember the question, but post-election, in reply to it a Liberal (someone like David Steel) sniffily said that the questioner was confusing liberalism with libertarianism. I still don't know what liberalism is.Jaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-57707208442030964932015-05-10T23:13:18.025+01:002015-05-10T23:13:18.025+01:00You could be right, and I wouldn't be surprise...You could be right, and I wouldn't be surprised. But there is a consistent core of 50-100 Tory MPs who are staunchly liberal, with a tiny majority of 12, Cameron is going to need all of them onside. Under the circs, anti-lifestyle stuff will be down the pecking order for a while (I hope).Dick_Puddlecotenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-12822579130749062272015-05-10T21:52:40.538+01:002015-05-10T21:52:40.538+01:00I'm afraid that anyone that thinks the Torys a...I'm afraid that anyone that thinks the Torys are gonna pull back from this kind of authoritarian shit is slightly deluding themselves. The Torys are as much in thrall to big pharma via its donations to the party as labour were. Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.Tony Halfordnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-91263028195332710432015-05-10T21:38:44.815+01:002015-05-10T21:38:44.815+01:00It would be nice to think so.It would be nice to think so.Dick_Puddlecotenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-89736328304374036482015-05-10T21:37:32.080+01:002015-05-10T21:37:32.080+01:00Classical liberalism - can it reassert itself?Classical liberalism - can it reassert itself?jmshighamnoreply@blogger.com